WO1994028250A1

WO1994028250A1 - Distribution pole

Info

Publication number: WO1994028250A1
Application number: PCT/CA1994/000305
Authority: WO
Inventors: Usa Inc. Tri-Steel; Steve Legler
Original assignee: Tri Steel Usa Inc
Priority date: 1993-05-31
Filing date: 1994-05-30
Publication date: 1994-12-08
Also published as: CA2097339A1; AU6922494A

Abstract

A hollow utility metal pole (10) comprised of a straight hollow pole and a concrete connecting base (12) to secure the pole above ground. The pole is formed from a hollow slotted pole casing with connecting flanges disposed on opposed sides of a longitudinal slot opening thereof. A clamping sleeve assembly is secured over the connecting flanges to complete the hollow metal pole. The concrete connecting base may be formed with an impact severing joint which is formed in an anchor section of the base and disposed a short distance below ground level. In an electrical distribution pole application, the impact severing joint is configured to display maximum strength in a desired direction and maximum weakness along a transverse direction.

Description

DISTRIBUTION POLE

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hollow utility metal pole formed from a slotted pole casing having a slot opening throughout its length with connecting flanges formed on both sides of the slot of the pole and having a clamping sleeve assembly secured thereover to complete the hollow pole. The invention also relates to the combination of a hollow metal pole and a concrete cast base which is secured in ground and provided with an impact severing joint disposed a short distance below ground level with the joint being configured to display maximum strength in a desired direction and maximum weakness along a transverse direction.

Most utility poles being used today are wooden poles which have been treated with a preservative to decelerate the rotting process of the wood particularly to the section anchored in the ground. Most utility poles have a height which range between 30-50 ft. and are used to support electrical or telephone cables, or street lights. Such poles have many disadvantages, the greatest one being that these require replacement as they decay, are aesthetically displeasing to the eye, are very dangerous obstacles to motor vehicles when disposed along the roadside, are difficult to transport and install due to their length and weight, require complex attachment brackets in order to secure cross-arms or light fixtures thereto; and because they are embedded in the ground, the chemically treated wood presents an environmental earth polluting problem. They also pollute when disposed of as they are either buried in the ground or burned. Utility metal posts have several uses, some being used as telephone poles, light fixture support poles, or distribution poles for electrical power distribution. Most of these poles are formed with metal lattice strut structures, welded parts, or are formed in sections which are assembled by interconnecting plates and bolts, thus requiring many metal parts for its construction and installation, making it time consuming to fabricate and install and therefore costly. Some poles are made as a single extruded aluminum hollow tubular member. These poles are also not protected internally from bad weather, and rust easily sets in. Some of these poles are also embedded partly into the ground or cast within a concrete footing, otherwise secured above ground by a base plate which is bolted to a concrete footing. Because many of these poles are in contact with the ground surface, they are also subjected to accelerated rusting and decay, and many do not offer adequate safety should the pole be impacted by a motorized vehicle. Often, these poles are improperly galvanized due to their construction, particularly when the pole is formed with enclosed tubular sections. U.S. Patent 4,248,025 provides an example of such prior art pole construction.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved hollow utility metal pole which substantially overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the known prior art wooden and metal utility poles which are generally utilized for supporting telephone or electrical power distribution cables or lighting fixtures, or other pole-mounted elements. Another feature of the present invention is to provide a hollow utility metal pole which is comprised of a straight hollow metal pole section and a concrete connecting base having an impact severing joint formed therein and disposed a short distance below ground level so that the earth will provide a brake when the pole is severed from the base by the impact of a road vehicle colliding with the pole. Another feature of the present invention is to provide a hollow utility metal pole which has a tapered shape and formed with an elongated opening therealong making it easy to manufacture, assemble and to galvanize both the outer and inner surfaces of the pole to protect it against corrosion, makes it possible to bolt pole sections together, and wherein the pole has no welded parts.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a hollow utility metal pole having a clamping sleeve provided with clamping means, the clamping sleeve closing the slot opening of the hollow pole casing to complete the hollow pole and permitting pole accessories, such as cross-arms or clamp harnesses to be easily attached at any distance along the pole length to mount all sorts of elements thereon.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a hollow utility metal pole which is formed of two or more sections which greatly facilitates the transportation and handling and erection of the pole with very few connecting parts.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a hollow utility metal pole which is secured above ground to a concrete base embedded in^" ground. Another feature of the present invention is to provide a hollow utility metal pole which is secured to a concrete base having a pole connecting section extending above ground, an impact severing joint and anchoring base disposed below ground level thus eliminating the problem of ground rot and pollution, as is the case with wooden poles impregnated with chemical preservatives.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a combined hollow metal pole and concrete cast base wherein the base is formed of precast concrete and can be installed well before the pole has to be mounted, thereby permitting poles to be installed during winter months when the ground is frozen or in residential projects after buildings are erected.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a hollow utility metal pole and a concrete cast base having a severing joint configured so that the joint displays maximum strength in a desired direction and maximum weakness along a transverse direction and further wherein the braking strength of the impact severing joint is predetermined by the configuration thereof. According to the above features, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides a hollow utility metal pole comprised of a straight metal pole and a connecting base. The connecting base is a concrete cast base having an anchoring section for securement in ground and a pole connecting section for extension at least partly above ground level. An impact severing joint is formed in the anchoring section and disposed a short distance below ground level when the anchoring section is secured in ground. The impact severing joint is configured to display maximum strength in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of cables intended to be supported by the pole, and maximum weakness along the direction axis of the cables.

According to a further broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hollow utility metal pole which is comprised of a straight metal pole and a connecting base. The connecting base is anchored in ground and has a pole connecting stub extending above ground level. The metal pole section is a tubular slotted pole defining a slot opening throughout the length thereof. Connecting flanges are formed on opposed sides of the slot opening. A clamping sleeve assembly is securable over the connecting flanges for completing the hollow pole.

According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hollow utility metal pole which is comprised of a straight tapered tubular metal slotted pole casing defining a slot opening throughout the length thereof. Connecting flanges are formed on opposed sides of the slot opening. A clamping sleeve assembly is secured over the connecting flanges for closing the slot to complete the hollow pole. Means is provided for closing a top end of the pole. The pole has an open bottom end for securement to a ground support means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view, partly sectioned, showing the hollow utility metal pole of the present invention secured to a concrete cast support base; FIGURES 2A and 2B are enlarged side views illustrating the construction of the concrete cast support base provided with a severing joint;

FIGURE 2C is a top view of Figure 2A showing the notch configuration;

FIGURE 2D is a cross-sectional view of the impact severing joint of the concrete base;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-section view of the utility metal pole showing the construction of the clamping sleeve assembly and the attachment of the pole to the connecting section of the concrete cast base;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmented plan view showing a cross-arm secured to the clamping sleeve assembly which is attached to the utility metal pole;

FIGURE 5 is also a fragmented plan view showing a sliding clamp attached to the channel connector plate clamp forming part of the clamping sleeve assembly; FIGURE 6 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the splice end of the casing sections of a utility pole; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmented side view showing the splice connection and a ladder bolt securement. FIGURE 8 is a section view showing an alternate construction of the utility metal pole.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1, there is shown generally at 10, the hollow utility metal pole of the present invention which may be secured to a concrete cast base 12 secured in the ground 13. The concrete base 12 may be of circular or other cross-section and is formed with an anchoring base section 12' and a pole connecting upper section 12". An enlarged footing 9 may be cast at the bottom end of the anchoring section 12' .

Referring now additionally to Figures 2A to 2D and Figure 3, it can be seen that the concrete cast base is provided with an impact severing joint 14 which is formed in the anchoring section 12' and disposed a short -distance below ground level 15 when the base 12 is embedded in the ground 13. The impact severing joint 14 has a configuration as shown in the cross-sectional view illustrated in Figure 2D and is formed by V-notches 14' disposed on opposed sides of the base section and spaced apart in parallel relationship to form a neck section 16 which is of substantially rectangular cross-section and extends entirely across the anchoring section 12' of the base 12. The anchoring base 12 is utilized to support a hollow utility metal pole 10 used for supporting overhead cables, such as electrical distribution cables and/or telephone cables or overhanging street lights, etc. The connecting base 12 is also oriented so that the longitudinal axis 17 of the neck section 16 which displays maximum strength is disposed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of cables intended to be supported by the pole. The axis transverse to the longitudinal axis 17 has maximum weakness, and it faces in the direction of a roadway adjacent to which these poles may be installed.

As illustrated in Figures 2A to 2C, the concrete cast base 12 is also a tapered base with the pole connecting section 12" thereof being formed with one or more, herein three attachment vertical galvanized metal channel members 18 which are spaced-apart about the pole connecting section 12" and oriented axially thereof from a top end 20 of the base 12. These connecting channels are U-shape cross-section steel channels defining a connecting slot 18' therealong and opposed inner engaging shoulder portions 18". These shoulders retain the nuts 8 of the securing bolts 6, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, whereby to secure the pole 10 to the connecting section of the concrete cast base 12. The elongated slot 18' provides for the installation of poles having varying inner diameters at their lower end and further provide vertical adjustment to the connecting base.

A lifting hook 19 may also be cast in the top end 20 of the base 12 to facilitate transportation and handling of the base. It can be appreciated that with these types of concrete cast bases, these can be installed at the same time or after a roadway is constructed, as their installation is quite simple and there is no requirement for casting the base on site. The poles could then be connected to these bases later on and even during winter months when the ground is frozen. When the utility pole is utilized for supporting street lights, it is quite convenient to install these concrete cast bases at the time the roads are constructed with the posts and street lights being installed later on after buildings are erected.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 and 3, there will be described the construction of the hollow metal pole 10 of the present invention. The pole is preferably, although not exclusively, constructed in two or more elongated casing sections, herein sections 10' and 10" to facilitate transportation and handling of the poles. The sections could be stacked one within the other. These pole casing sections 10' and 10" are tapered tubular hollow slotted pole sections having a slot opening 25 extending throughout the length of the pole sections. Connecting flanges 26 are formed integral and disposed on opposed sides of the slot opening 25 and extend throughout the length thereof, with the exception of one of the pole sections at the splice region, as shown in Figure 6. A clamping sleeve assembly 27 is secured to and over the connecting flanges 26 for completing the hollow pole 10 and for attaching other elements such as the cross-arm 24 thereto for supporting cables, not shown, between a plurality of these poles. A cap 7 is secured to the top end of the pole.

As shown in Figure 3, the clamping sleeve assembly 27 is comprised of an elongated U-shape channel connector plate 28 extending the full length of the pole, or formed in sections to facilitate transportation and handling. The plate or plates 28 are connected to clamping rods 29 by a connecting bolt 30. The rods 29 are short rod pieces having opposed angled abutment faces 29' to abut the casing where it curves to form the flanges 26. As herein shown, the rods 29 are of square cross-section. Although the hollow metal pole 10 is herein shown as being circular in cross-section, it could also be hexagonal, or have any other desirable cross- sectional shape that is workable with the flanges 26. The channel connector plate 28 is rolled from a rectangular metal strip and is of uniform cross- section throughout its length. The flanges 26 are also of uniform size throughout their length. The channel connector plate 28 and clamping rods 29 are preassembled and slid from the top end section of the pole sections 10' and 10". The pole is assembled on the ground surface next to its erection site. It can also be pre-assembled elsewhere. The channel connecting plate 28 is formed from an elongated flat tapered metal plate shaped to define opposed inwardly turned straight edge portions 28' extending at an obtuse angle on a common side of the plate and corresponding substantially to the angle of the connecting flanges 26. The straight edge portions 28' are shorter than the connecting flanges. The clamping rods 29 are herein shown as short steel bars of square cross- section and which are threaded diagonally from corner to corner so as to form the angled abutment faces 29' but they conceivably can be of triangular, cross-section. However, because the rods are square, they provide abutment faces 29' on both sides and can be threaded with the connector bolt 30 from either side of the threaded opening. These abutment faces 29' are provided for clamping engagement with a curved section 31' of the flanges 26 on opposed sides of the elongated slot opening 25. The connecting bolt 30 is secured in a connecting hole 30' formed in the channel connector plate 28 as shown in the enlarged view in Figure 1. The clamping rod is also disposed inwardly of the slotted pole casing with the connecting bolt extending through the elongated slot opening. When the bolt 30 is tightened, it applies a clamping force between the outer end edges 26' of the connecting flanges 26 and the inner curved portion 31' of the pole casing on a respective side of the elongated slot opening 25.

As shown in Figure 4, the cross-arm 24 is formed simply of an L-shape metal piece to which is secured wing plates 35 to slide the cross-arm over the channel connecting plate 28. The bolt 30 may also secure the cross-arm to the channel connector plate 28 and at the same time secure to the clamp plate 29. Other types of attachments, such as the sliding clamp 36, shown in Figure 5, may be secured to the channel connector plate 28 for securing other elements, such as lamp poles, etc. to the pole 10. As herein shown, the sliding clamp is formed of two identical clamp plates 37 which have clamping flanges 38 to clamp over respective ones of the inwardly turned ends 28' of the channel connecting plates 28. The bolts 39 loosely interconnect the clamp plates 37 together to permit the sliding clamp to slide over the channel connecting plate 28, and also to permit the attachment of other elements, such as that shown at 39', to the clamp 36. By tightening the bolts 39, the sliding clamp is arrested on the channel connector plate 28 and herein further secures the element 39'. Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, there is shown one manner in which the opposed splice ends 40 and 41 and pole casing sections 10' and 10" may be interconnected together. The lower pole casing section 10" is tapered to fit within the lower splice end 40 of the upper pole casing section 10'. The connecting flange 26 of the lower pole casing section 10" is cut off in the splice end section so as to provide for the telescopic interconnection and serves as an indicator to assure proper overlap and hole alignment. Bolt receiving holes 45 are also provided in both splice end sections and once the end sections are telescopically positioned these bolt receiving holes are aligned whereby securement bolts 46 may be positioned therein and tightened, as access is provided from both sides of the pole casing. The fact that the pole is slotted permits these bolts to be easily inserted and tightened to provide a rigid splice connection as compared to prior art friction connections. The elongated channel connector plate 28 is then secured across the joint section, as shown in Figure 7, to clamp to the flanges and retain both sections 40 and 41 in alignment and interconnected.

The pole is preferably constructed of steel which is hot-dip galvanized on all surfaces, but other materials such as aluminum or other metal alloys can be utilized for the construction of the pole. Because the casing sections are slit, they facilitate galvanizing and permit access inside the pole for securing bolts, etc., during assembly or when adding fixtures to the pole.

Referring now to Figure 8, there is shown an alternative construction of the metal pole wherein the pole is herein shown as formed of two elongated metal shells 55 and 56 which are defined by an elongated wall 57 of curved cross-section and an elongated connecting flange 58 formed integral along opposed side edges of each of the shells 55 and 56. The shell may be of hexagonal or arcuate cross- section as illustrated in Figure 8. The clamping sleeve assembly 27 interconnects the opposed shells 55 and 56 together to form the elongated hollow pole casing. The clamping sleeve assembly 27 is secured over a pair of spaced opposed connecting flanges 58, as herein shown, with the elongated slot opening being formed therebetween, as previously described.

An advantage of constructing the hollow metal pole with two or three, or more, of these shells 55 or 56 is that it facilitates galvanizing, makes the pole shells lighter than a full pole and easy to manipulate and transport since the shells can nest into one another, and provides a means to attach more accessory elements to the pole. The clamping sleeve assemblies 27 will provide more rigidity to the pole. Other advantages of the hollow utility metal pole structure is the manner in which it is connected to a concrete cast base with the pole extending entirely above ground, and further wherein the base may have an impact severing joint feature. The hollow utility metal pole is also provided with a clamping sleeve assembly which is easily attached to the pole and which may provide for a great variety of elements to be secured to the pole, such as cross-arms, overhead lamps, ladder bolts, etc. The clamping sleeve assembly also provides for very secure splice connections. The fact that a concrete cast base is used also provides for a permanent installation since the concrete improves with time and does not decay in ground. The separate concrete cast base also permits the installation of the base at a different time than the pole thereby facilitating installation and also eliminating the need for the expense of the pole at the time the base is purchased or fabricated and secured on a future construction site or roadside. The precast concrete base also permits mass production in plant, low cost inventory, and easy transportation. The severing joint can also be manufactured with a predetermined weak point to break when the pole is struck by a moving vehicle, in the direction of traffic, when the pole is utilized for roadside overhead wire installation. The breaking strength is also predetermined depending on the size of the breaking joint with the breaking joint being disposed slightly below ground level in order that a portion of the ground will act as a brake when the pole is severed with the upper portion of the pole being supported by the wire attachment and being prevented from falling on the vehicle. The pole is also lightweight, easy to transport and assemble, and does not have any welding. Figures 1 and 7 also illustrate the connection of ladder bolts 50 to replace certain ones of the bolts 30 on one side of the pole and staggered ladder bolts 50' on the other side secured by clamps 51. Nuts 52 are provided on both sides of the pole casing to provide for a safe connection. These ladder bolts 50 are also connected a safe distance from ground surface and provide an added feature due to the fact that they can be installed through the slot opening and also after the plate 28 is installed.

It is also within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obvious modifications of the preferred embodiment described herein provided such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hollow utility metal pole comprising a straight metal hollow pole and a connecting base, said connecting base being a concrete cast base having an anchoring section for securement in ground and a pole connecting section for extension at least partly above ground level, an impact severing joint formed in said anchoring section and disposed a short distance below ground level when said anchoring section is secured in ground; said impact severing joint being configured to display maximum strength in a desired direction and maximum weakness in a transverse direction.

2. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 1 wherein said impact severing joint is comprised by opposed notches formed across said anchoring section and spaced from the central longitudinal axis of said connecting base to define a transverse neck section across said anchoring section.

3. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 2 wherein said opposed notches are of V-shape cross-section and are spaced apart in parallel relationship, said neck section being of substantially rectangular cross-section and extending entirely across said anchoring section.

4. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 2 wherein an enlarged footing section is formed in a lower end of said anchoring section, said connecting base being of circular cross-section and tapering inwardly from said footing section to a free end of said pole connecting section.

5. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 1 wherein said metal pole is a tapered hollow pole formed by a slotted hollow pole casing section having an elongated slot opening throughout the length thereof, connecting flanges disposed on opposed sides of said slot opening, and a clamping sleeve assembly securable over said connecting flanges along said slot opening to form said hollow pole and for attaching other elements to said pole.

6. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 5 wherein said connecting flanges are outwardly turned opposed edge sections of said slotted pole casing, said clamping sleeve assembly comprising an elongated channel connector plate and clamping connectors connected spaced apart along said channel connector plate and in engagement with said pole casing whereby to clamp said channel connector plate over outer end edges of said connecting flanges.

7. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 6 wherein said clamping connectors are each comprised of a connecting bolt and a clamping rod, said clamping rod having a pair of abutment faces for clamping engagement with a casing section on opposed sides of said elongated slot opening, said connecting bolt being in threaded engagement with said clamping rod in a threaded bore disposed between said abutment faces, said connecting bolt being secured in a connecting hole formed in said channel connector plate and said clamping rod disposed inwardly of said slotted pole casing with said connecting bolt extending through said elongated slot opening, said bolt, when tightened. applying a clamping force between said outer end edges of said connecting flanges and an inner curved portion thereof on a respective side of said elongated slot opening.

8. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 6 wherein said channel connector plate is a U- shape connector plate having opposed inwardly extending side walls disposed at an obtuse angle and configured for close sliding fit over an outer surface of said connecting flanges, said inwardly extending side walls being shorter than said connecting flanges to permit said channel connector plate to contact said outer end edges of said connecting flanges.

9. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 6 wherein said pole connecting section of said connecting base is provided with one or more attachment vertical channel members disposed about an outer face thereof to define one or more connecting slots about said connecting sections, said connecting slots having opposed inner engaging shoulders to receive a nut of a casing securing bolt in clamping engagement therewith.

10. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 6 wherein a cross-arm is secured to said channel connector plate for supporting overhead cables by said pole.

11. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 6 wherein a lamp support assembly is secured to said channel connector plate for connecting an overhead lamp to said pole.

12. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 5 wherein said metal pole casing section is formed by two or more hollow slotted pole casing sections interconnected together in a splice end section by fasteners and said channel connector plate.

13. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 11 wherein one of said splice end sections of two interconnected pole casing sections has a telescopically receivable end section free of said outwardly turned opposed flange end section in order to be received within the splice end section of the opposed outer interconnected pole casing section with said flange sections of said interconnected pole section in end abutment, said outwardly turned opposed edge sections of both interconnected pole casing sections in said splice end sections being received in clamping engagement within said elongated channel connector plate with one of said clamping connectors disposed on opposed sides of said end section of an outer one of said interconnected pole casing sections.

14. A hollow utility metal pole comprising a straight metal hollow pole and a connecting base, said connecting base being anchored in ground and having a pole connecting stub extending above ground level, said metal pole being a hollow slotted pole defining a slot opening throughout the length thereof, connecting flanges disposed on opposed sides of said slot opening, and a clamping sleeve assembly securable over said connecting flanges for closing said slot to form said hollow pole.

15. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 14 wherein said connecting flanges are outwardly turned opposed edge sections of said hollow slotted pole, said clamping sleeve assembly comprising an elongated channel connector plate and clamping connectors connected spaced apart along said channel connector plate and in engagement with said pole casing whereby to clamp said channel connector plate over outer end edges of said connecting flanges.

16. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 15 wherein said connecting base is a concrete cast base having an anchoring section for securement in ground, an impact severing joint formed in said anchoring section and disposed a short distance below ground level when said anchoring section is secured in ground, said impact severing joint being configured to display maximum strength in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of cables intended to be supported by said pole, and maximum weakness along said longitudinal axis of said cables.

17. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 16 wherein said impact severing joint is comprised by opposed notches formed across said anchoring section and spaced from the central longitudinal axis of said connecting base to define a transverse neck section across said anchoring section.

18. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 17 wherein said opposed notches are of V-shape cross-section and are spaced apart in parallel relationship, said neck section being of substantially rectangular cross-section and extending entirely across said anchoring section.

19. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 18 wherein an enlarged footing section is formed in a lower end of said anchoring section, said connecting base being of circular cross-section and tapering inwardly from said footing section to a free end of said pole connecting section.

20. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 14 wherein said clamping connectors are each comprised of a connecting bolt and a clamping rod, said clamping rod having a pair of abutment faces for clamping engagement with a casing section on opposed sides of said elongated slot opening, said connecting bolt being in threaded engagement with said clamping rod in a threaded bore disposed between said abutment faces, said connecting bolt being secured in a connecting hole formed in said channel connector plate and said clamping rod disposed inwardly of said slotted pole casing with said connecting bolt extending through said elongated slot opening, said bolt, when tightened, applying a clamping force between said outer end edges of said connecting flanges and an inner curved portion thereof on a respective side of said elongated slot opening.

21. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 20 wherein said hollow metal pole is formed by two or more hollow slotted pole casing sections interconnected together in a splice end section by fasteners and said clamping sleeve assembly.

22. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 20 wherein said channel connector plate is a U-shape connector plate having opposed inwardly extending side walls disposed at an obtuse angle and configured for close sliding fit over an outer surface of said connecting flanges, said inwardly extending side walls being shorter than said connecting flanges to permit said channel connector plate to contact said outer end edges of said connecting flanges.

23. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 20 wherein a cross-arm is secured to said channel connector plate for supporting overhead cables by said pole.

24. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 23 wherein a lamp support assembly is secured to said channel connector plate for connecting an overhead lamp fixture to said pole.

25. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 24 wherein said elongated channel connector plate is formed from two or more sections.

26. A hollow utility metal pole comprising a straight tapered tubular metal slotted pole casing defining a slot opening throughout the length thereof, connecting flanges disposed on opposed sides of said slot opening, and a clamping sleeve assembly secured over said connecting flanges for closing said slot to form said hollow pole, means closing a top end of said pole, said pole having an opened bottom end for securement to a ground support means.

27. A hollow utility pole as claimed in claims 1, 13 and 26 wherein ladder bolts are connected to said pole through said clamping sleeve and constituting said connecting bolt in threaded engagement with said clamping rods.

28. A hollow utility pole as claimed in claim 26 wherein said clamping sleeve assembly comprises an elongated channel connector plate and clamping connectors connected spaced apart along said channel connector plate and in engagement with said pole casing whereby to clamp said channel connector plate over outer end edges of said connecting flanges.

29. A hollow utility pole as claimed in claim 28 wherein said clamping connectors are each comprised of a connecting bolt and a clamping rod, said clamping rod having a pair of abutment faces for clamping engagement with a casing section on opposed sides of said elongated slot opening, said connecting bolt being in threaded engagement with said clamping rod in a threaded bore disposed between said abutment faces, said connecting bolt being secured in a connecting hole formed in said channel connector plate and said clamping rod disposed inwardly of said slotted pole casing with said connecting bolt extending through said elongated slot opening, said bolt, when tightened, applying a clamping force between said outer end edges of said connecting flanges and an inner curved portion thereof on a respective side of said elongated slot opening.

30. A hollow utility pole as claimed in claim 29 wherein said channel connector plate is a U-shape connector plate having opposed inwardly extending side walls disposed at an obtuse angle and configured for close sliding fit over an outer surface of said connecting flanges, said inwardly extending side walls being shorter than said connecting flanges to permit said channel connector plate to contact said outer end edges of said connecting flanges.

31. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metal pole is formed by two elongated metal shells defining an elongated wall of curved cross-section and an elongated connecting flange along opposed side edges of each said shell, a clamping sleeve assembly for interconnecting opposed shells together to form an elongated hollow pole casing, said clamping sleeve assembly being securable over a pair of spaced opposed connecting flanges defining an elongated slot opening therebetween with said shells forming said hollow pole.

32. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 31, said clamping sleeve assembly comprising an elongated channel connector plate and clamping connectors connected spaced apart along said channel connector plate and in engagement with said pole casing whereby to clamp said channel connector plate over outer end edges of said connecting flanges.

33. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 31 wherein said clamping connectors are each comprised of a connecting bolt and a clamping rod, said clamping rod having a pair of abutment faces for clamping engagement with a casing section on opposed sides of said elongated slot opening, said connecting bolt being in threaded engagement with said clamping rod in a threaded bore disposed between said abutment faces, said connecting bolt being secured in a connecting hole formed in said channel connector plate and said clamping rod disposed inwardly of said pole casing with said connecting bolt extending through said elongated slot opening, said bolt, when tightened, applying a clamping force between said outer end edges of said connecting flanges and an inner curved portion thereof on a respective side of said elongated slot opening.

34. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 31 wherein said channel connector plate is a U-shape connector plate having opposed inwardly extending side walls disposed at an obtuse angle and configured for close sliding fit over an outer surface of said connecting flanges, said inwardly extending side walls being shorter than said connecting flanges to permit said channel connector plate to contact said outer end edges of said connecting flanges.

35. A hollow utility metal pole as claimed in claim 31 wherein there are three of said elongated metal shells interconnected along three of said elongated slot openings.